Keeping Your Pets Safe on the 4th of July Holiday
Watson
Did you know that more pets get lost and end up in shelters on the 4th of July than on any other holiday? The loud booming fireworks might thrill audiences, but your dog would rather have some peace and quiet. Many dogs go missing because they are trying to flee from the noise. Independence Day is fun and festive for many families, but let's also keep it safe for you and your pets!
Big gatherings, loud noises, and fireworks are the things we love about the 4th of July, but they can be very frightening for our pets. With a little planning, you can ensure that this holiday will be enjoyable for everyone. There is no reason for a dog to be around fireworks, and you should do everything to keep your dogs away from them.
Here are some tips to prevent fireworks sensitivity in your dog and keep them safe:
KEEP PETS INDOORS
Keep your pets as far away from fireworks as possible, and in a safe, enclosed room, preferably one without windows. If you’re having guests over, consider keeping pets in a room that’s off-limits to guests, with plenty of water and food.
CREATE A CALMING ENVIRONMENT
To create a calming environment for your pets, surround them with their favorite toys and other familiar objects. Sometimes, the scent of an article of clothing from your laundry can help to comfort them. Additionally, you can block out noise by playing soothing music and ensure the room is as quiet as possible by closing doors, windows, and blinds.
KEEP AWAY FROM FIREWORKS
Even if your pet doesn’t seem obviously upset by fireworks, they can still cause harm to pets. Avoid potential burns, injuries, or possible ingestion by keeping all pets out of the vicinity of fireworks. Check with your neighbors about their fireworks plans. Ask for a phone call before they start.
CONSULT YOUR VET
In extreme cases where dogs might be hyper sensitive to loud noises, you might want to consult your Veterinarian to prescribe a mild sedative. If your dog is nervous at a car backfiring or a door slamming, hearing the noise from fireworks might cause additional stress and anxieties.
UPDATE IDENTIFICATION
The biggest risk of all this 4th of July is that pets will get loose and become lost. Even if a pet is secured inside, the sound of fireworks can cause them to panic – sometimes even breaking through glass windows. Make sure your pets are micro-chipped and wearing identification tags. Check your pet’s identification tag and call to confirm that the pet’s veterinarian and the microchip company have your current address and phone numbers. It’s might be a good time to replace your pets identification tag if the information is no longer readable.
Make this holiday enjoyable for you and your dog, and play it safe! Happy 4th!
Food for thought courtesy of Planet Paws - Dogs can hear sounds of up to 50,000 vibrations per second, nearly twice as many frequencies as humans, and can hear sounds 4 times further away than us. The World Health Organization lists 120 decibels as the pain threshold for sound in humans, and the CDC says noise over 120 decibels can cause immediate harm to hearing. Fireworks measure between 150 to 190 decibels! Try and imagine what fireworks sound like for a dog. You probably couldn’t seeing that 18 muscles control the ears of dogs, while humans only have 6.
